Catching Happiness… one scrap at a time!

It’s Wednesday!  It’s the LAST day of September…WOW!  Already????   It’s supposed to be a nice refreshing sunny day.  I’m ready to forge ahead.  I’m looking forward to getting a few things accomplished around the house and then spend some time creating something – What?  I don’t know yet.  I have a couple of things in mind.  So what’s on your agenda for today?

One layout to share today.  Used some BG Lemonade, die cut paper and daisy flower stickers from K&Co., and glitter letters from American Crafts. 

Easter 2009

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope your day is bright and cheerful and all you want it to be!  ~Amy Tara~

I went to a crop on Saturday at an LSS near my Daddy’s house.  It is about 1-1/2 hours away from me so I was glad to have it be an all day affair.  Some very helpful ladies over at Label Tulip helped me decide how to pack.  Thanks girlies!  I did, however, manage to leave one extremely important thing home… my ATG gun.  Of all things… sheesh!  So I muddled through using my red line tape, which I’ve always mostly used anyway.  I’m just starting to get to “know” my ATG gun.  I got a few things done and I met some really sweet ladies.  I was exhausted from it all.  Driving home at 11 pm by yourself after having been gone since 8 am is really tough.  But I did it.  And I am glad.  And there is a good chance that I will be teaching some classes at this LSS.  I have to firm things up with them this week.  All good, right!

I’ll leave you with a layout I did of our pain in the arse dog Sammy.  I truly have a love hate relationship with this dog.  He’s almost 12 years old yet he is still just as naughty as when he was little.  He drives me insane!  But I love him just the same.  And he really is such a beautiful golden!  I used up a bunch of Pink Paislee scraps.  I toned down the orange in the Basic Grey die cut paper by dry brush inking some Vintage Photo distress ink over the paper.  I used a leaf chipboard piece from one of the PP collections – I split it in half so I had more leaves.  On the raw chipboard I sprayed Tattered Angels Pinecone mist.  I love how it turned out.  Also landed up using an upside down “h” for the “y” since I had run out of that letter.

Sammy, good thing he's so beautiful!

split chipboard

I’m eagerly awaiting the Collage Press Joy Ride collection.  I have some photos set aside that are just perfect for it!  I love that it has a vintage-y feel to it.  You can check it out here:

http://collagepress.typepad.com/collage_press/2009/08/joyride.html

I’ve really been into using their products lately.  I’ve got  layouts of my Daddy and Phillip; bingo on the ship; dining room staff from ship; and marching band; all in the works using Knave of Hearts.  And I’ve got a few layouts using Sweet Shoppe just about finished.  I’ll be posting all these soon.

Also, have you seen the new GCD news?  Melody Ross from Chatterbox has joined them and has a whole line of product coming out – with BUTTERFLIES, and vintage and great colors… has my name written all over it!  I am seriously drooling over it!  I will definitely be getting everything in this collection.  CAN NOT WAIT!  You can check it out here:

http://www.gcdstudios.blogspot.com/

That’s it for today.  I hope you have an amazing day!  Thanks for stopping by.  ~Amy Tara~

I’ve got fall fever!  Yesterday I spent the day shopping around for a few items to add to my fall decorations.  Today I am going to clean the house and start putting the fall goodies in place!  I love this time of year because I the humidity and heat start subsiding just a bit and I know we only have another month or so until we can shut the air conditioning off!  I love the colors of the decorations and even though the outside is still sunny/tropical, no leaf changes etc… I don’t care.  Inside, it feels like fall!  I found a few really cool pumpkins at HomeGoods and a pumpkin platter that I just absolutely LOVE!  I probably won’t use it for Thanksgiving serving but rather keep it on display.  Seriously, it’s my new favorite piece.  When I get everything done and set up I’ll take a few pix and post them here.

I have a layout and cool technique to share with you today.  I used the Webster’s Pages Nature’s Storybook collection, except the base paper is from the Winter’s Wings collection.  I took some of the vellum and cut it into very thin little strips then curled it with the wrong side of my exacto knife, just like you would do curling ribbon when wrapping a gift.  I added these little curls in with my flowers/leaves etc.  I am really loving how it turned out.  What do you think?

Everthing that Grows

flower/curls close up

title

close up 2

cluster close up

I love working with lots of different patterned papers.  I’ve been thinking of ways to pare down my stash and streamline my stuff.  My go-to’s are usually BG and WP.  I also love Collage Press, Graphic 45, and MME.  They are the easiest for me to work with.  I acquire some of the other products at times and then they seem to sit there because I just seem to go for these 5 manufacturers most of the time.  It’s not that I don’t love some of the other stuff, it just doesn’t get used as much.  So, my question… should I sell some stuff on ebay or etsy.  Is there some other where/way else to sell it?  I’m open for suggestions… so if you feel like it, share with me what you think?!

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you have a magnificent Monday!  ~Amy Tara~

I love Mondays!  Even if I don’t get called in to sub.  I’ve always got a million things that need to be done on Monday, not the least of which is hauling out the garbage can.  Gross.  It’s my very least favorite job.

Over the weekend I did a little “window” shopping for my Thanksgiving stuff.  I always do Thanksgiving and I look forward to it every year.  It is by far my absolute favorite ever holiday!  I go all out.  I make all kinds of cards, gifts, decorations, table settings… you name it!  and of course, the food.  My boys know that no matter what, they are expected home (required to be home) for Thanksgiving.  Even (especially) when they get married/families etc.  Their wives will be required to sign a waiver for Thanksgiving holiday rights if they want to marry my son!  LOL!  I’m serious!  LOL!

I’ll share a layout I did using some Webster’s Pages Nature’s Storybook collection.  I must admit, this is my all time favorite ever scrapbook paper!  EVER!  I can’t get enough of it!  And the photo in this layout is my all time ever favorite photo of my boys all together.  I just LOVE this photo.  It is from 1999… so my boys were 12, 9, and 7.  Where oh where has the time gone???? I soooo miss when they were little.  I adore them now, too!  So here is the layout:

Band of Brothers

One more thing… last Tuesday I posted my first tutorial on the Embellish IT! blog.  Take a peek and let me know what you think!  I’m open for suggestions for more tutorials.  What would you like to learn?  I’m going to be posting part 2 tomorrow.  Embellish IT! blog here:  http://embellishonline.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have a marvelous Monday!  ~Amy Tara~

So tomorrow I get to start school!  Yay Me!  I’m going to my favorite little elementary school for Thurs. & Fri. to work with the ESOL students.  I love this little school.  Seriously.  It’s a 501 school… lots of extra needs here.  And I just adore the students.  They WANT to learn!  ANd they are just the sweetest little things!  I always bring them treats to I’ve got to get to Publix today and pick up some starbursts and lollipops.  I can’t wait until tomorrow!

Now, onto some Webster’s goodness.  This first layout is done using the Nature’s Storybook line.  I’ve had this photo of Nathaniel for AGES!  I finally decided to scrap it with these papers.  Anyone who knows my oldest son, knows that he is truly a unique person.  He has always LOVED reading, play acting and ballet/dance.  He was about 12 years old in this photo and I wrote down these things that he liked at that age.  Not all boys are sportsy, grungy or nascar-ish… if you know what I mean. 

Nathaniel - Authentic

And this next layout uses mostly the Winter’s Wings collection.  I just LOVE the soft colors in this.  The chipboard snowflakes are Maya Road with paint and glitter. 

Glacier Bay

If you would like to see more detailed photos of these layouts you can visit the INSPIRE ME site and you will find them in the gallery there:

http://websterspages.ning.com/photo

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope your day is absolutely wonderful!  ~Amy Tara~

Very quick post today.  Just want to give you the name of who won the little RAK.  Logan is my official name-drawer and he pulled BARB P out of the hat.  So BARB P please email me your mailing addy!  illusion@bellsouth.net

We’re off to the beach, some good BBQ and relaxing!  Make it a great one!  ~Amy Tara~

I just LOVE the new WEbster’s Pages collections, especially Nature’s Storybook.  I have already used up every single piece of that collection!  I created this layout using NS and it really was so easy because these papers are just so gorgeous you really don’t have to do much to get a great page!  I backed the photo with some of the vellum, added a litttle border strip of the stripe paper, a journaling card and I got out my trusty exacto knife to cut some of the images out of the same paper and foam popped them for dimension.  Tim Holtz crackle paint on my letters and I am good to go!  Take a peek!

Nature's Way

Nature's Way - bunny

Nature's Way - saying

Nature's Way - crackle

The saying I used on this layout is one I have been saving for this photo of Logan.  I love it and it is really so true, close to my parenting philosophy.

I’m offing another RAK – just because.  I’ve put together a few odds and ends of some rubons that are just begging for a good home!  LOL!  So leave a comment and I will include your name in this RAK drawing.  I’ll have Logan, the official name drawer, pick on Sunday night.

And finally, my friend Lisa Pace is offering a phenomenal online class for Halloween projects.  If you’ve never taken one of her classes, I highly recommend it!  She is very specific and generous with her how-to’s.  You can check it out here:  http://lisapace.com/2009/09/01/all-hallows-eve-registration-starts-today/

Have  a fantastic holiday weekend all!  ~Amy Tara~

I had Logan draw a name last night…  this is who’s name was on the paper he pulled out of the basket:

LUCY EDSON

Congrats Lucy!!!  Please send me your mailing address so I can get this RAK shipped off to you.

And thanks to everyone who stopped by and left a comment.  I appreciate each and every one of you!   Don’t forget to check the Embellish IT! blog to see if you won one of the Gift Certificates there.

I’m busy with Webster’s Pages projects.  I am so ga ga over this new product.  I love all of the collections but I must say that Nature’s Storybook is by far, my very fave ever of WP product!  Seriously, it’s like Brandin had me in mind when she was creating it.   I’ll share soon… just need the rain to stop so I can get some pix.

Have a great day everyone!  Thanks for stopping by!  ~Amy Tara~

FINALLY I can share my good news.  This was really hard to keep under wraps!  Shelby, from embellish IT!   http://www.embellishonline.com/ has asked to me step up and take on more of a roll in helping her with her business.  For years I have been creating the samples she uses in her booth at the CKC and Expo conventions and samples for the LOOK BOOK.  Now, I am coming out of the shadows, so to speak.  Along with samples I will also be running the new embellish IT! blog   http://embellishonline.blogspot.com/  I would LOVE for you to take the time and visit the new blog and let me know what you think!  Check it out, sign up to be a follower (you could win a prize there too!), and then leave me a comment in this post and you could win THIS:

RAK PRIZE!!!

Yup, you got it.  LOTS of BRAND NEW product from Imaginisce and Crate Paper including papers from each of their new collections, rubons, and chipboard.  So go ahead, check out the embellish IT! blog  http://embellishonline.blogspot.com/ and let me know what you think!

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope your day is as fabulous as you want it to be!  ~Amy Tara~

My very favorite Webster’s Pages collection is Sweet Life.  I am in love with the colors in this collection, especially the blues.  Since today is my day to post an inspiration piece on the WP facebook page I decided to use up the last bits I had from that collection (along with the stars paper from Cherry Pie) and this is what I came up with:

Logan, All American Boy

Title

Lady bug!

Since the closing of CMK many of us have moved over to the A Million Memories site.  The gals there have been very welcoming and I am learning my way around the gallery and forum.  I’m very sad about CMK – I hate change – but I am excited to get to know all the new gals.

Daddy and Lynn are coming for a visit today.  I’m off to the grocery store to buy some goodies for them.  It will be  a short visit, but like Jay says, it’s all about the food!  LOL!  My daddy is a cookie monster…. so that is a must on my shopping list.  No time to bake.  It seems like my days are getting shorter… good golly, I hardly have time to breathe these days.

Hope you have a blessed day!  Thanks for stopping by!  ~Amy Tara~